Mon., 12/21/15 Devotion (Jn. 11:26b)

Today's encouragement comes from the few words of John 11:26b, where we read this:

" . . . Do you believe this?"

Our Lord Jesus asked this question (above), of Martha, the sister of Lazarus. Christ is asking her if she believes a body of doctrine that He had just taught her—regarding Himself (Jesus), the veracity (power) of faith, and the resur-rection of the dead.

Such is the nature of all good doctrine, and of the churchman's belief in it: when rightly-construed it (good doctrine) always directs the believer to the Person of Jesus. The difference between a regenerated Christian and the devil himself, is not that we believe different things about historical facts—but that the true saint's faith resides ultimately in the Person of the Redeemer (Jesus).

[Puritan quote of the day: "A man by faith may come into the presence of God with open mouth and speak all his mind unto God.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]